Was thinking about shaving early, but before I do, I thought I would try this…
First, here is me in 2004
This is me about an hour ago 20 years later (2024)
AND after a little chemical intervention 30 min later.
Day 22 – No Shave November
I think I’m done for this year. The beard MAY come off this weekend. We will see.
Day 6 No Shave November
I’m past the itching stage.
Sunday Mornings – Ham Radio and Life
Sunday mornings start a bit early for me, especially with the time change (and our two beagles being morning enthusiasts). Usually, I’m up around 8 a.m. and head out to my “hamshack” — a cozy office shed where I fire up the radio for the Sunday Morning Social Hour net with the Cherryland Amateur Club. If you’re ever on, it’s at 3935 kHz LSB around 9 a.m. Eastern. After the net wraps up, it’s time to hop in the truck and head over to my dad’s place for the 10:30 a.m. IOOK net on 7185 kHz LSB. Dad and I have made this our Sunday tradition, and once the airwaves quiet down, we head out for brunch.
Brunch leads to one of two scenarios: either I head home, knock out some projects, or catch a football game — or I stick around Dad’s place to lend a hand with whatever he’s got going on. Today, we’re doing the seasonal tractor switch-over: taking off the mower deck, installing the snow blower, adding the enclosed cab, and making sure everything’s winter-ready. Northern Michigan winters require serious prep, and we’ve got it down to a routine.
This time of year is one of my favorites. The rush has slowed, the “winter is coming” chores are manageable, and the weather hits that sweet spot where sweatshirts and flannels are perfect. It’s crisp, cool, but not yet the bone-chilling cold that’s on its way.
Day 2 no shave November
I Voted Early
Driving by the regional polling spot here in Grand Traverse County today got me thinking about how smooth the voting process can be around here. In our county, a few townships team up and designate a spot for all the early voting—my own township hall being the hub for me. So, when I saw the line wasn’t too bad, I decided to pull in and join the queue.
About 20 minutes later, I was at the door, ID ready. They took a quick look, printed my ballot on the spot, and before I knew it, I’d cast my vote. Fast, efficient, no fuss.
One thing that really struck me? The atmosphere in line was incredibly relaxed. Folks were friendly, no one grumbled about showing their ID, and everyone kept politics out of the conversation. It just felt like one of those moments where people come together for a shared purpose. I left there feeling proud of our local election teams who make it all run so smoothly.
Why I’m Still Here on the Open Web
Call me old-school, but it feels like the last bastion of freedom on the internet is still the World Wide Web (yep, those “www” websites). Social media? That’s a whole other ballgame, mostly run by folks with their own agendas. Every app, every platform—controlled, filtered, and edited by the owners and developers behind them.
But when you own a website, you own that space. No filters, no middlemen. You can say what you want, post what you want, and, if you’re selling something, keep all your profits. The only catch is getting people to find it. Search engines have their own issues with agendas, but there’s a shift coming. With AI in the mix, search as we know it could look different soon.
Still, like someone said, “You have the right to free speech, but not necessarily the right to be heard.” As more social platforms tighten the reins on content, the humble website (along with podcasting) is going to stand as a solid spot for real, unfiltered voices. It might be tougher to get found, but word of mouth can work wonders.
If you find something you like out there, spread the word! And if you’re enjoying my site, the “View From The North Blog” over at mikedell.org, let people know—because this little corner of the web is where I get to be unapologetically me.
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
Happy November 1st!
“Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” is a quirky superstition in which saying “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” or simply “rabbit” first thing in the morning on the first day of a new month is thought to bring good luck for the rest of the month. The origins of this tradition aren’t completely clear, but it’s believed to have roots in British folklore and may go back to the early 1900s or even earlier.
The idea is to say “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” as soon as you wake up—before you say anything else—to ensure the luck sticks. Some variations suggest saying “white rabbit” instead, and there are even regional differences where people might say “hares” or “rabbits” twice rather than three times. Whatever the version, it’s a fun little tradition many people carry on each month for a touch of good fortune!
No Shave November 2024
This year, I’m joining in on the No-Shave November movement! For the next month, I’m putting away the razor to raise awareness for cancer prevention, research, and education. I’m excited to see how it goes and thought it would be fun to share the journey with you all! So, keep an eye out for my progress posts—I’ll be sharing a selfie every few days to capture the stages of growth (or chaos) as it unfolds. Here’s to a month of letting it grow for a good cause!
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What is No-shave November? – No-Shave November started as a fun, informal tradition but gained prominence as a charity movement to raise awareness for cancer in the early 2000s. The idea behind it is simple: participants forgo shaving for the month of November to embrace their hair, which many cancer patients lose during treatment, and to spark conversations about cancer prevention, awareness, and research.
The official No-Shave November organization was launched in 2009 by the Hill family, following the loss of their father, Matthew Hill, to colon cancer in 2007. They transformed the playful tradition into a charitable campaign, encouraging people to donate the money they would have spent on grooming to cancer research organizations. Today, it has grown into a global movement, with individuals, teams, and companies participating by raising funds and spreading awareness.
While it’s often associated with beards, people participate by letting their hair grow in various ways, whether facial hair, head hair, or even body hair. Movember, a similar campaign originating in Australia, also focuses on men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, with participants growing mustaches to spread awareness. Both initiatives have fostered a unique sense of community, combining self-expression with a cause.